My Dependent Child is Turning 26

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires group health plans to offer dependent coverage until an adult child reaches age 26. At University of Northern Iowa, your dependent child may remain on your health, dental, and vision plans through December 31 of the year in which they turn 26. Eligibility is not affected by marital status or employment, meaning your child may be married or employed in a full-time, benefit-eligible position and still remain on your plan.

If you do not intend to continue coverage beyond December 31 of their 26th year, no action is required. Your dependent will be automatically removed from coverage effective January 1.

Unmarried, Full-time Students

Under UNI’s group insurance plan, if your child is over age 26, unmarried, and a full-time student at an accredited college or university, you may be eligible to continue coverage under your health, dental, and/or vision plans. To maintain eligibility, you must complete an annual student status verification and confirm tax dependent status through UNI Works.

If your dependent child does not qualify as a tax dependent, the value of their health and dental coverage will be considered taxable income. This is known as imputed income and is calculated as the difference between the employer contribution toward a family plan premium and the contribution toward a single plan premium.

Coverage may be available for an unmarried dependent over age 26 who is disabled. The disability must have existed prior to the dependent turning age 26 or while the dependent was a full-time student.

Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield considers a dependent disabled if they meet the following criteria:

• The child is claimed as a dependent on the employee’s, plan member’s, subscriber’s, policyholder’s, or retiree’s tax return; and
• The child is enrolled in and receiving Medicare benefits due to the disability; or
• The child is enrolled in and receiving Social Security Administration disability benefits.

To make a benefits change due to a qualifying life event, please use the UNI Works system.

Documentation is required in order to add, or continue coverage for a disabled dependent. You will be asked to upload documentation during the life event process within UNI Works.

• SSI Card
• Medicare Card
• Letter Documenting Disability

Voluntary term life coverage for a child will end on the last day of the month in which the child turns age 26.

A dependent child may continue coverage beyond age 26 if they are primarily supported by you and are incapable of self-support due to a developmental or physical disability. To request continuation of coverage, you must complete an Application to Continue Disabled Child and submit it to Human Resource Services. The application will be forwarded to Principal Financial Group for review and approval.

To end coverage, log into UNI Works and choose the option "I Want to Cancel My Voluntary Term Life Policy."
 

Annual Open Enrollment

If you do not make any changes during open enrollment your coverage selection will remain the same.

Qualifying Life Event

You may also enroll, waive, or change your coverage selection based on a qualifying life event:

• My Spouse/Dependent is Changing or Losing Coverage

UNI Works

UNI Works is designed to help you enroll, make changes, and view your current benefit elections, dependents and beneficiaries all in one location. When logging into UNI Works, select Benefits and Pay from the Main Menu.